In the photo: The Riace Bronzes lied on their backs for years in a storage room of local government offices before being returned to the Museum of Magna Graecia and lifted to their upright position.
The Riace Bronzes (Bronzi di Riace) are back in Reggio Calabria's Museum of Magna Graecia after lying neglected for four years in a storage room of the offices of the regional government.
"We are keeping a promise to give back to all the citizens of the world one of its greatest treasures," said Italy’s Culture Minister Massimo Bray, vowing to restore the Bronzes to their full glory.
The statues were moved in 2009 because the museum was in need of restoration; however, as renovations slowed down due to budget cuts, the Bronzes were left lying on their backs for years. Bray was present during the lifting operation Tuesday, posting pictures on his Twitter account and writing, “Their beauty can only be truly appreciated in person.”
The minister is expected to announce shortly the date when the bronzes will be back on display for the public to admire.
The Riace bronzes, also called the Riace Warriors, are two full-size Greek statues of naked bearded warriors, cast about 460–450 B.C. and found in the sea near Riace in 1972, in the area that used to comprise the seat of Greek civilization in Southern Italy, known as Magna Graecia. They are now considered one of the symbols of Calabria.
